Missile defense

US to conduct flight test of ballistic missile defense system

Amid heightened tensions with North Korea, the U.S. will conduct a flight test of the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD), an element of the nation’s ballistic missile defense system, Fox News has learned. The test, which will be conducted by the Missile Defense Agency (MDA), is scheduled to take place this month.

The THAAD weapon system, located at the Pacific Spaceport Complex Alaska in Kodiak, Alaska, will detect, track and engage a target with a THAAD interceptor.

The test is designated as Flight Test THAAD (FTT)-18.